Storage Rack Sliding Frame Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A storage rack apparatus incorporating a sliding frame apparatus. The frame apparatus is adjusted in a generally vertical direction by the application of vertical force and secured in position by the removal of such vertical force.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to a storage rack apparatus and, more particularly, to a storage rack having a sliding frame assembly, the vertical position of which can be adjusted and secured by the mere application and removal of a vertical force, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a storage rack apparatus comprising a sliding frame assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the sliding frame assembly of the storage rack apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective back view of the sliding frame assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective back view of a portion of the sliding frame assembly depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective back view of a portion of the sliding frame assembly depicted in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 but includes an exploded view of the positioning fixture depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the positioning fixture depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, detached from the sliding frame assembly depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a partial side elevation/partial sectional view of a portion of the sliding frame assembly depicted in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the figure refers, in general, to a storage rack apparatus 10 featuring a sliding frame assembly 60. The storage rack apparatus is based on a storage rack assembly 12 comprising a pair of interconnected vertical upright assemblies 13 and 14. Vertical upright assembly 13 comprises two parallel vertical uprights, front upright 16 and rear upright 18, set on footpads 40 and 42, respectively. The vertical uprights 16 and 18 are interconnected by an upper horizontal crosspiece 24, a lower horizontal crosspiece 26, an upper diagonal crosspiece 32, and a lower diagonal crosspiece 34. Vertical upright assembly 14 similarly comprises two parallel vertical uprights, front upright 20 and rear upright 22, set on footpads 44 and 46, respectively. The vertical uprights 20 and 22 are interconnected by an upper horizontal crosspiece 28, a lower horizontal crosspiece 30, an upper diagonal crosspiece 36 (not shown), and a lower diagonal crosspiece 38.

Vertical upright assemblies 13 and 14 are interconnected by a front horizontal member 50 and a rear horizontal member 52 to create a storage bay wide enough to accommodate two conventional pallets placed side-by-side. A side horizontal member 54 extends generally between vertical uprights 16 and 18 and a corresponding side horizontal member (not shown) extends generally between vertical uprights 20 and 22. The side horizontal members are long enough to accommodate the depth of a conventional pallet. The horizontal members 50 and 52, and horizontal member 54 and a corresponding horizontal member (not shown), support a generally horizontal storage shelf, not shown, wide enough and deep enough for two conventional pallets to be stored side-by-side.

A display shelf 58 is disposed beneath the pallet storage shelf at a height that allows customers to view and/or retrieve products. The space under the display shelf 58 is sufficient for storage of two additional pallets, placed side-by-side between the vertical upright assemblies 13 and 14.

The sliding frame assembly 60 comprises a frame 62 slidably engaging vertical guides 64 and 66, which are composed, at least in part, of a ferritic material. The vertical guide 64 is connected to the front upright 16 by mounting brackets 72 and 76 and is set off from the front upright by standoff members 74 and 78, which extend horizontally between the vertical guide and the mounting brackets 72 and 76, respectively. The vertical guide 66 is similarly connected to the front upright 20 by mounting brackets 68 and 80 and is set off from the front upright by standoff members 70 and 82, which extend horizontally between the vertical guide and the mounting brackets 68 and 80, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5 of the drawings, the frame 62 comprises a rectangular screen 84 having channeled receptacles 84 a for receiving flat display inserts 86 a and 86 b. The frame 62 further comprises a pair of spaced parallel horizontal frame members 88 and 90 that are generally the length of the distance between the vertical guides 64 and 66. The screen 84 is connected to the horizontal frame members 88 and 90 by a pair of spaced parallel vertical J-channel frame members 92 and 94 (FIG. 5) that extend the length of the distance between the horizontal frame members 88 and 90, so that the four frame members form a generally rectangular assembly defining a generally vertical plane. A V-shaped diagonal frame member 104 extends generally from the distal ends of the horizontal frame member 88 to the midpoint of the horizontal frame member 90. The screen 84 generally conceals the horizontal frame members and the diagonal frame member 104 from frontal view. Frame grip handle 106 is attached at the midpoint of the horizontal frame member 90.

Upper guide sleeves 96 and 98 are connected to the distal ends of the horizontal frame member 88 and substantially cap the ends of the horizontal frame member. Lower guide sleeves 100 and 102 are connected to the distal ends of the horizontal frame member 90 and substantially cap the ends of the horizontal frame member. The upper guide sleeves 96 and 98 are aligned with the lower guide sleeves 100 and 102, respectively, to form axially spaced pairs of sleeves. The guide sleeves are oriented parallel to the vertical J-channel frame members 92 and 94 so that the vertical guide 66 extends through the lower guide sleeve 100 and the upper guide sleeve 96 and the vertical guide 64 extends through the lower guide sleeve 102 and the upper guide sleeve 98.

Stop fixtures 114 and 116 are attached to the upper guide sleeves 96 and 98, respectively, just above the midpoint of the rear face of each of the upper guide sleeves. Positioning fixtures 110 and 112 are attached to the upper guide sleeves 96 and 98, respectively, just below the stop fixtures 114 and 116, respectively, on the rear face of each of the upper guide sleeves. Referring to FIG. 5, the stop fixture 114 comprises a stop angle 134 and a stop 136. The stop angle 134 is bent at a ninety degree angle, with one section attached to, and extending downward parallel to, the rear face of the upper guide sleeve 96 and the other section extending perpendicularly away from the upper guide sleeve. The stop 136 is mounted on the top horizontal surface of the stop angle 134 and is disposed between the stop angle and the standoff member 82. The stop 136 extends to a height greater than that of the top of the upper guide sleeve 96. The stop fixture 116 is substantially identical to the stop fixture 114 in composition and relative placement and therefore will not be described in detail.

Referring to FIGS. 5-8, the positioning fixture 110 comprises a mounting arm 120, nuts 122 a and 122 b, compression springs 126 a and 126 b, a magnet 128, and bolts 132 a and 132 b. In an exemplary embodiment, the magnet 128 may comprise an industrial magnet such as, for example, a Master Magnetics, Inc. LM50B Super Latch Magnet, which is rated at fifty pounds. The mounting arm 120 comprises sections 140, 142, and 144 of a single, continuous member, the three sections being defined by two ninety degree angles such that the mounting arm is step-like in shape. The section 140 is parallel to the section 144, with the section 142 extending perpendicularly between the sections 140 and 144. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, when the mounting arm 120 is attached to the upper guide sleeve 96, the section 140 is attached to, and extends along and parallel to, the rear face of the upper guide sleeve so that the top edge of the section 140 generally meets the bottom edge of the stop angle 124. The section 142 of the mounting arm 120 extends perpendicularly from the section 140 and away from the upper guide sleeve 96 to form a generally horizontal surface. The section 144 of the mounting arm 120 extends perpendicularly downward from the section 142 to form a generally vertical surface parallel to the section 140.

As suggested by FIG. 6 and shown by FIGS. 7 and 8, when the positioning fixture 110 is in an assembled condition the bolts 132 a and 132 b extend through holes 130 a and 130 b, respectively, of the magnet 128, the springs 126 a and 126 b, respectively, and holes 124 a and 124 b, respectively, of the section 144 of the mounting arm 120. The bolts 132 a and 132 b are secured by the nuts 122 a and 122 b, respectively. Referring to FIG. 7, when the positioning fixture 110 is in an assembled condition and the mounting arm 120 is disconnected from the upper guide sleeve 96, the magnet 128 can move, unopposed, along the bolts 132 a and 132 b within a range defined by the heads of the bolts and a point located the distance of the free length of the springs 126 a and 126 b from the interior face of the mounting arm 120. The magnet 128 can also move, in opposition of the biasing force exerted by the springs 126 a and 126 b, along the bolts 132 a and 132 b between a distance the free length of the springs from the interior face of the mounting arm 120 and a distance the length of the solid height of the springs from the interior face of the mounting arm. The springs 126 a and 126 b can move freely along the bolts 132 a and 132 b, respectively, between the mounting arm 120 and the magnet 128 when the magnet is a distance greater than the springs' free length from the mounting arm.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 8, which show the positioning fixture 110 in an assembled condition and connected to the upper guide sleeve 96, the section 142 of the mounting arm 120 is long enough for the magnet 128, the bolts 132 a and 132 b, and the springs 126 a and 126 b to be disposed between the section 144 of the mounting arm and the vertical guide 66. The springs 126 a and 126 b are compressed between the section 144 of the mounting arm 120 and the magnet 128. The surface of the magnet 128 is in contact with the rear face of the vertical guide 66. The bolts 132 a and 132 b extend beyond the holes 130 a and 130 b, respectively, toward the upper guide sleeve 96, such that the heads of the bolts are disposed generally halfway between the holes and the upper guide sleeve. The positioning fixture 112 is substantially identical to the positioning fixture 110 in composition and relative placement and therefore will not be described in detail.

In operation, and with reference to FIG. 1, the storage rack assembly 10 houses two pallets of goods A stored side-by-side on the horizontal storage shelf supported by the horizontal members 50 and 52 and the horizontal member 54 and the corresponding member (not shown). The display shelf 58 contains displays or products intended for viewing and selection by customers. Two additional pallets of goods B are stored side-by-side in the space underneath the display shelf 58, in between the vertical upright assemblies 13 and 14. The sliding frame assembly 60 is in its assembled condition and positioned in front of the pallets of goods A at least partially hiding such goods behind the screen 84.

Referring to FIG. 2, with continuing reference to FIG. 1, the vertical guides 64 and 66 mounted to the vertical uprights 16 and 20, respectively, provide a rigid track at any point along which the frame 62 may be positioned and secured. The vertical guides 64 and 66 restrict horizontal movement of the frame 62 and allow for generally vertical adjustment of the frame 62 within a defined range, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2. Referring to FIGS. 3-5, with continuing reference to FIG. 2, the upper limit of vertical adjustment of the frame 62 is defined by the points of interaction between the stop fixtures 114 and 116 with the standoff members 82 and 78, respectively, such that the screen 84 at least partially hides the pallets of goods A from view. The lower limit of vertical adjustment for the frame 62 is defined by the point of interaction between the lower guide sleeves 100 and 102 and the standoff members 70 and 74, respectively, such that the screen 84 at least partially hides the pallets of goods B from view.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5 and FIG. 8, the positioning fixtures 110 and 112, in their assembled condition, interact with the vertical guides 66 and 64, respectively, to maintain the position of the frame 62 along the vertical guides. FIGS. 5 and 8 further illustrate the interaction of the positioning fixture 110 and the vertical guide 66. The magnet 128 of the positioning fixture 110 contacts the vertical guide 66 which, as described above, is composed, at least in part, of a ferritic material. The positioning fixture 112, comprising, in part, its own magnet (not shown), is substantially identical to the positioning fixture 110 in operation. The attractive force exerted on the vertical guides 66 and 64 by the magnets of the positioning fixtures 110 and 112, respectively, increases the static friction between the magnets and vertical guides such that the magnitude of that static friction is greater than the magnitude of the downward force represented by the combined weight of the frame 62. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the springs 126 a and 126 b, which are compressed between the magnet 128 and the inner face of the section 144 of the mounting arm 120, exert a constant biasing force on the magnet 128 in the direction of the vertical upright 66 to ensure contact between the magnet and the vertical upright.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the height of the frame 62 is continuously adjustable and can be fixed at any point along the range defined by the vertical uprights 64 and 66 and the standoff members 74 and 78 and 70 and 82, respectively. The position of the frame 62 is adjusted by applying to the frame, most effectively at the frame grip handle 106 (FIG. 3), an adjusting vertical force equal to or greater than that of the force required to overcome the static friction between the vertical uprights 64 and 66 and the magnets of the positioning fixtures 110 and 112, respectively, and then continuously applying an adjusting vertical force the magnitude of which is greater than that of the opposing sliding friction between the vertical uprights 64 and 66 and the magnets, respectively. The position of the frame 62 is secured merely by ceasing the application of the adjusting vertical force. The static friction between the magnets and uprights secures the frame at the height at which the adjusting vertical force was removed.

As can be appreciated, the continuous adjustability of the frame 62 along the vertical uprights 64 and 66, as well as the instantaneous securing of the frame upon removal of the adjusting vertical force, provide flexibility in utilization of the frame and facilitate quick access to the space behind the frame. The static friction created by the interaction of positioning fixtures 110 and 112 and vertical uprights 66 and 64, respectively, eliminates both the need for a means of incrementally adjusting the height of the frame to preset, fixed positions and the need for an operator-manipulated means of securing the frame at the aforementioned positions.

It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the positioning fixtures 110 and 112 may be altered to include securing means other than magnets and springs, such as counterbalance forces or slip friction rollers.

Furthermore, the storage rack assembly 12 to which the sliding frame assembly 60 is mounted may be replaced with a storage rack assembly having an alternative configuration. For example, the configuration of the storage rack assembly 12 may be altered to include multiple storage bays, each sharing one or more vertical upright assemblies or horizontal members with another storage bay. Moreover, the specific arrangement of frame members 88, 90, 92, and 94 can be altered to include additional frame members or the design of the frame 62 can be altered to give the frame a different shape, size, or orientation.

Still further, although the screen 84 is described as comprising channeled receptacles for receiving the flat display inserts 86 a and 86 b, it is understood that this screen may be removed or replaced with a screen having an alternate configuration comprising a generally solid panel or a different number of display spaces and utilizing alternative methods of attaching display elements. Moreover, the display inserts 86 a and 86 b may be replaced with display elements having alternate geometric and dimensional properties.

Furthermore, although the sliding frame assembly 60 is described as comprising the vertical guides 64 and 66, standoff arm pairs 74 and 78 and 70 and 82, respectively, mounting bracket pairs 72 and 76 and 68 and 80, respectively, and guide sleeve pairs 98 and 102 and 96 and 100, respectively, it is understood that, in some embodiments, the sliding frame assembly may comprise more or fewer vertical guides, and thus more or fewer pairs of guide sleeves, standoff members, and mounting brackets. For example, the storage rack apparatus 10 may comprise multiple storage bays as described above and the sliding frame assembly 60 comprising a single vertical guide and a single pair of guide sleeves through which the single vertical guide extends, such that the frame straddles the vertical upright and conceals two storage bays.

Still further, the guide sleeve pairs 96 and 100 and 98 and 102 may be replaced, at each end of the frame 62, by any number of guide sleeves of sufficient length or placement to stabilize the frame against forces that would otherwise cause the frame to rotate about an axis generally passing through the vertical guides 64 and 66

Any foregoing spatial references such as, for example, “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” “rear,” “between,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” etc., are for the purpose of illustration only and can be varied within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. Additionally, in claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change, and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein. 

1. An apparatus, comprising: a generally vertical member; a frame slideably engaged with the vertical member for movement in a generally vertical direction; and a positioning fixture constantly engaged with the vertical member and the frame and adapted to allow continuous adjustment of the frame within a defined range of movement.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the positioning fixture is adapted to allow adjustment of the frame solely by application of a generally vertical force.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the positioning fixture is adapted to fix the position of the frame in the absence of a generally vertical force.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a guide sleeve through which the vertical member extends.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a generally horizontal standoff member connected to the vertical member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a stop fixture positioned so as to interact with the frame and the standoff member.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a means for bearing display elements.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the positioning fixture comprises a biasing element.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the positioning fixture comprises a magnet.
 10. An apparatus, comprising: a rack assembly; a generally vertical member attached to the rack assembly; a frame slideably engaged with the vertical member for movement in a generally vertical direction; and a positioning fixture constantly engaged with the vertical member and the frame and adapted to allow continuous adjustment of the frame within a defined range of movement.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the positioning fixture is adapted to allow adjustment of the frame solely by application of a generally vertical force.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the positioning fixture is adapted to fix the position of the frame in the absence of a generally vertical force.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the frame comprises a guide sleeve through which the vertical member extends.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a generally horizontal standoff member connected to the vertical member.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a stop fixture positioned so as to interact with the frame and the standoff member.
 16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the frame comprises a means for bearing display elements.
 17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the positioning fixture comprises a biasing element.
 18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the positioning fixture comprises a magnet.
 19. An apparatus, comprising: a generally vertical member; a frame slideably engaged with the vertical member for movement in a generally vertical direction; and a positioning fixture adapted to allow adjustment of the frame solely by application of a generally vertical force.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the positioning fixture is constantly engaged with the vertical member and the frame so as to allow continuous adjustment of the frame within a defined range of movement.
 21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the positioning fixture is adapted to fix the position of the frame in the absence of a generally vertical force.
 22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the frame comprises a guide sleeve through which the vertical member extends.
 23. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a generally horizontal standoff member connected to the vertical member.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a stop fixture positioned so as to interact with the frame and the standoff member.
 25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the frame comprises a means for bearing display elements.
 26. The apparatus of claim 19, where the positioning fixture comprises a magnet.
 27. An apparatus, comprising: a rack assembly; a generally vertical member attached to the rack assembly; a frame slideably engaged with the vertical member for movement in a generally vertical direction; and a positioning fixture adapted to allow adjustment of the frame solely by application of a generally vertical force.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the positioning fixture is constantly engaged with the vertical member and the frame so as to allow continuous adjustment of the frame within a defined range of movement.
 29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the positioning fixture is adapted to fix the position of the frame in the absence of a generally vertical force.
 30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the frame comprises a guide sleeve through which the vertical member extends.
 31. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a generally horizontal standoff member connected to the vertical member.
 32. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising a stop fixture positioned so as to interact with the frame and the standoff member.
 33. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the frame comprises a means for bearing display elements.
 34. The apparatus of claim 27, where the positioning fixture comprises a magnet.
 35. A method comprising the steps of: providing a display shelf within the storage rack; providing a storage shelf within the storage rack vertically spaced from the display shelf; and providing a screen that is movable between a first position at least partially hiding the storage shelf from view and a second position providing access to the storage shelf, wherein the screen is movable solely by application of a generally vertical force and stops moving anywhere between the first and second positions upon the cessation of the generally vertical force.
 36. An apparatus, comprising: a rack assembly having a generally vertical member; means for slideably engaging a frame with respect to the generally vertical member for generally vertical movement between a first location and a second location; means for fixing the position of the frame at any position between the first and second positions.
 37. An apparatus, comprising: a generally vertical member; an upper standoff member and a lower standoff member connected to the vertical member; and a frame slideably engaged with the vertical member for movement in a generally vertical direction defined by the upper and lower standoff members, wherein the frame comprises: a generally vertical guide sleeve through which the vertical member extends; and a positioning fixture constantly engaged with the vertical member and adapted to allow the frame to be continuously adjustable within a defined range of vertical movement, wherein the positioning fixture comprises a magnet and biasing element and is adapted to allow adjustment of the frame solely by application of a generally vertical force and to fix the position of the frame in the absence of the force. 